Ambition and action in Liverpool

Liverpool City Region – Talking Business Conference / Aintree Racecourse 17.06.25

With Yellowyoyo now firmly established in Liverpool, I was encouraging to see such strong and thoughtful plans for growth this week.

I’ve always maintained that the Liverpool City Region has an entrepreneurial spirit and energy. That came through strongly on Tuesday at the Talking Business conference, hosted by the Combined Authority. Purpose and collaboration seemed to be at the heart of every conversation I both had and overheard.

A new £10 million fund was announced to support early-stage innovative businesses. Backed by the Metro Mayor, it signals a serious commitment to long-term growth.

David Meyerowitz, Chair of the Business & Enterprise Board, spoke about the close alignment between business leaders, the Mayor’s office and the Combined Authority. That partnership is already shaping tailored strategies across three priority sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Health & Life Sciences, and Creative Industries.

One of the most thought-provoking moments came from Kate Downes, who leads on research and intelligence for the region. Her focus was productivity. Not just as a technical issue, but as the key to unlocking real change.

She spoke openly about it being Liverpool City Region’s biggest challenge, but also its greatest opportunity. What struck me most was the way she linked it back to people. Boosting productivity, she explained, isn’t just about improving economic performance. It means better jobs, higher wages and greater opportunities for the people who live and work here.

This is a region with real momentum, one that’s focused on building a better future for business and community alike.

Al